Marker light



Sept. 26, 1944. w, A, PENNOW 2,359,151

' MARKER LIGHT Filed June 27, 1941 gg ,g4/far lill/[1111111 Patented Sept. 26, 1944 Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Com- A pany, EastPittsburgh,-, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania l l Application June 27,1941,s^eria1'N0.400,012

` g ioolaims. (01.2407-1'2) My linvention relates, `generally.. to marker lights and, more particularly, to incandescent marker lights of the substantially flush-mounting type adapted primarily to outline runway and taxi areas of airports, for use as range lights and traic lights andas contactlights for airports.

The present invention is an improvement upon the marker light disclosed by my United States `Letters Patent No. 2,184,004, dated December 19, 1939.

'I'he object. of. my inventiony generally stated,

.is to provide an improvedmarker light for airports and-.the like which shall be of simple and rugged construction, economical to manufacture and install, and which'may be readily adapted.

for use in a variety of ways in connection `with airport lighting. Y

A more speciiic object of my invention is to provide a marker light structure wherein the main or outer lens is mounted on top of the main cover or top ring of the housing in an exposed position outside the vertical rib members which support the cover or relamping plate. Y i

A further object of my invention'is to provide in a marker light for utilizing a main or outer lens which is essentially self-cleaningto a considerable degree andlwhich is so constructed that v it may be mounted in an exposed position where `Ait is subject to blows and impacts from the wheels, tailskids, etc. of aircraft andthe like, without ldanger of breakage..

vfAnother object'of my invention is to provide :a

marker light of the character described which may be readily opened above ground level for relamping and .cleaning of the various parts thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide a marker light wherein the relamping cover plate is supported by ribs or fins on the main cover of the housing so positioned as not to collect sand Vand dirt and not to obstruct the outside surface `of the outer lens.

These and other important objects of my invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawing wherein: Y

VFigure 1 is an elevational viewfpartly in section along line II--II of Fig. 2, of a marker light embodying the principal features of my invention, and Fig. Zis a top view of the marker light of Fig. 1 withv a portion of the cover plate broken away to show the relative positions of the lenses and also their positions with respect to the ribs on the top cover of the housing.

. ,Revferring to the drawing the embodiment of my invention disclosed is intended for use in the Vkindof light distribution.

sameA general way as that disclosed by my Patent No. 2,184,004 and `also produces the same general In other words, it functions vto concentrate the light in a vertically narrow'beam from 2Y to l0 degrees above the horizontal. .This distribution may be symmetric or asymmetric, depending upon the type of outer lens used and the light produced may be clear or-colored as desired depending upon the way in which the marker light is used.

The numeral I0 designates the housing or body portion which is preferably constructed of cast iron, the particular housing shown being that of a unitfor multiple wiringV service. It is provided adjacentv the Ybottom with side openings II threaded to receive the wiring conduits I2, as

belovv ground level.

shown. 20`

A suitable socket I3 for supporting an incandescent lamp I4 in a vertical position is mounted within the housing as shown in Fig. 1.

The housing I0 is provided with a main cover I 5, preferably constructed of a steel alloy, detachably secured to the upper rim of the housing by a plurality of spaced stud bolts I6. The upper rim .of the housing is preferably shaped as shown in Fig.`1, to provide an annular channel Il defined by the annular inner and outer flange por- 30` I with an annular channel 2| into which is placed ja composition rubber gasket 22 which is subjected `to heavy compression by the narrow surface area tions I8 and I9. The main cover I5 is provided ofthe inner flange portion I8 to provide a moisture-proof seal between the main cover and the housing so that this joint may be placed at or The main cover I5 is relatively flat across the top and `is provided with a central opening 23 through which the lamp I4 extends.

In order to provide the desired light distribu- `tion, a suitable inner Fresnal or prismatic lens 24 is positioned about-the lamp I4 and is preferably supported by the anged inner edge 25 of the main cover although it may be supported in such position in any other suitable manner. While I have shown a generally ring-shaped or cylindrical lens with prisms on the Voutside thereof -for this purpose, it is to be understood that anyother suitable type or shape of lens may be used so long that it functions to produce the desired light distribution.

Y In this embodiment of the invention, an outer lens 26is used Aandis also preferably supported yby themain cover I5', the bottom edge thereof as a protective lens, it is of a plain type, ile., Vwithout prisms, but when it is to be used bothxas a protective lens and a light directing lens, itis preferably provided with internal vertical prisms 3l, as shown, these prisms being used to control V.

the horizontal light distribution in any desired manner such as by concentrating the light in one or more zones.

In order to provide ready access toV the ins terior of the unit for relamping and the like, it

is provided with a removable'cover plate 32 supported above and in covering relation to the inner and outer lenses. InV this instance, the cover plate is supported Aby means of aV plurality of vertical rib or `fin members. 33 preferably castintegral with the main cover `l 5. Asshown,.these ribs are disposed in spaced radial relation about the centralV opening in the main cover between the inner and outer lenses. In such position,

these ribs function to effectively support the cov-i er plate 32 and are so positioned that they -do not collect sandfand dirt.

lThe cover plate 32 may be detachably secured 2,359,151 lights. Any color oflight desired may be 'pro-V duced by utilizing lenses of the desired color.

Where it is desired to use an outer lens with internal prisms to produce asymmetric distribution,V a lens position indicator 4| may be applied to theunit. This indicator may comprise a movable pointer plate attached tothe top of the main cover by screws 42, as shown in Fig. 2, the pointer 43 of lthe plate being aligned withV an arrow M,

to the upper ends of the ribs 33 by screws 34. Y

The cover platel is provided with a flanged outer edge 35 extending outwardly o-ver the upper edge of the outer lens. An L-s'haped gasket 36 of suitable material is interposed between the upper edge of the outer lens and flange 35 anda similarly shaped Vgasket 31 is positioned in the annular channel 21 in the main cover between the surface of the cover and the lower edge of the lens.

The 'height of the ribs 33 is such that when.Y

the cover plate 32 is drawn down'tghtly against the upper ends thereof, the Vgaskets 36 and V31 are compressed to provide 'tightly sealed joints .without applying an excessive loading or pres- 32. Ii desired, the cover plate may be provided with an annular flange portion 38` which not only serves to relieve the attaching screws 34 from side thrust but also` to retain the inner lens in the desired position.

If desired, the unit may be provided with a reflector 39 mounted below the lamp bulb and preferably supported from the main cover by means of screws 40. YThe reflector may be'constructed of aluminum or any other suitable material and is so shaped as to have a wide angle `of acceptance so that yit `functions to redirect practically all of the light belowthe horizontal back through the light center. to the Voptical or lens system.

The unit described maybe `used at airports in a number of ways such for example, as hush boundary lights, marker circles, lcontact lights, llush range lights, `taxi' lights and flush traffic or other mark, on the outside of the outer lens "when this lens is properly positioned to direct the beam or beams in the desired direction. This makesit possible to remove the outer lens for servicing and to replace it in the proper position without Aobserving or checking the position or Vdirection of the beams.

tion and which has important advantages over the prior art structures.V It is so constructed I that it is not only rugged and moistureproof but `also readily opened .above ground level for servicing.. Furthermore, the contour of itslexposed upper lsurface is such that it remainsv eiective under all operating conditions Vfor the reasonthat it does not collect sand and dirtand is essenf tially self cleaning. Y Y

While I have Vshown and described a particular embodiment of my invention; it will be obvious itorthose-.sltilled inthe lart that. changes'fand modifications may be made therein without departing from the principlesfset forth and defined by the appended claims. Y

I claim as my invention:V

1. A runway marker light comprising, .a metal housing adapted to be embedded Vincthefsurifme ofwa runway or the likeand having .a top cover portion providedl with aicentral opening-said top cover portion having a plurality of rigid upstanding support members thereon, a. generally ring-shaped lens mounted upon the top cover portion in surrounding relation to the support members, and` coverplate means for said `lens detachably supported "by said support members ina rigid manner in predetermined spaced relation to the top cover :portion of the lhousing.

2. A marker light comprising, 'abowl-shaped `metal housing, a vmetal .cover member for the 50V housing having a central opening therein, said cover member having a plurality-of spacedV upwardly vextending `,rigid rib members on itsup'- .per Asurface between its inner and outer edges, a

.first .generally Yring-shaped lens 'mounted withinV the vcentral opening AinV saidgcover .member inside the rib members, a second generally ring-shaped lens supported-by vthe .cover member outside the rib members, andcover plate' meansdetachably secured yto `the upper Sends of. .the rib :members `over said rst and .second lensesfsaidirib mem'- bers functioning to rigidly support Vthe ycover plate means in predetermined spaced yrelation Awith the metal cover member cfthe housing.

3. A runway markerlight comprising, a metal ,housing provided witha topcover .member .havring a central opening therein and :a :pluralityof rigid upstandingrib .members `zthereon, arst Ygenerally 'ringfshaped .lens mounted ,to Aextend shaped lens mounted upon-th -top *cover member jon `4thefoutsideiof said Arib im'embers, gasket tmeans interposed therebetween, `cover plate means supported by the rib' members over the lenses, means securing the cover plate means to the upper ends of the rib members, said cover plate means extending outwardly over the top edge of the second lens, gasket means interposed therebetween, and means for securing the cover plate means to the rib members, said rib members functioning to rigidly support the cover plate means in predetermined spaced relation to the top cover member of the housing.

4. A marker light comprising, a, metal housing having upper and lower sections joined together by a fluid-tight joint, said lower section adapted to be set into the surface of a runway or the like, said upper section being provided with a central opening and having a plurality of rigid upstanding support members thereon surrounding said opening, a generally ring-shaped lens mounted on the upper section of the housing in surrounding relation to the support members, cover plate means mounted on the support members and having an outwardly extending flange portion extending over the upper edge of the lens, said support members being of such height as to rigidly support the cover plate means in predetermined spaced relation to the upper section of the housing, gaskets interposed within the joints between the upper and lower edges of the lens and the top surface of the upper section of the housing and lower surface of the flange portion of the cover, and means for detachably securing the cover plate means to the support members and compressing said gaskets, thereby to provide a watertight assembly and a rigid support for the cover plate means a predetermined distance above the upper section of the housing.

5. A marker light for use in marking runways of airports and the like comprising, a generally bowl-shaped metal housing having a cover portion with a central opening and a plurality of rigid spaced upstanding support members thereon about the central opening, a generally frustoconical lens positioned upon the cover about the support members, and cover plate means for said lens detachably secured to the support members.

6. A marker light for use in: marking runways of airports and the like comprising, a generally bowl-shaped metal housing having 'a cover portion with a central opening and a plurality of rigid spaced upstanding rib members thereon about the central opening, said cover portion having an annular seat thereon adjacent its outer edge, a gasket member disposed on said seat, a generally frusto-conical lens mounted on said gasket, cover plate means supported by said rib members over the lens, a gasket member interposed between the upper edge of the lens and rim of the cover plate means, and means detachably securing the cover plate means to the upper ends of the rib members, said means functioning to draw the cover plate means into engagment with said rib members and compress the gasket members to form tight joints.

7. A marker light for use in marking runways of airports and the like comprising, a bowlshaped metal housing having a cover portion with a central opening therein, a generally ringshaped inner lens mounted adjacent the central opening, a generally frusto-conical shaped outer lens of larger diameter supported by the cover about the inner lens, cover plate means detachably supported by the cover over said lenses, and gaskets positioned in the joints between the upper and lower edges of the outer lens and the cover plate means and cover portion, respectively, to provide water-tight joints therebetween.

8. A marker light for use in marking runways of airports and the like comprising, a generally bowl-shaped metal housing adapted to be set into the runway or other surface, a metal cover for said housing attached thereto by a fluid-tight joint, said metal cover having a central opening therein and an annular groove adjacent the outer rim thereof, a socket mounted within-the housing for supporting a lamp within the central opening, a generally ring-shaped lens mounted about the lamp in the central opening, a rusto-conical lens of larger diameter having a smooth outer surface mounted in said annular groove, cover plate means for said lenses rigidly supported thereabove from the metal cover of the housing, and gaskets; positioned in the joints between the upper and lower edges of the frustoconical lens and the cover plate means and housing cover, respectively, to make said joints watertight.

9. A runway marker light for use in marking runways of airports and the like comprising, a generally bowl-shaped housing adapted to be set into the ground and having a cover with a relatively large central opening therein, said cover having an annular seat on a portion of its upper surface adjacent the outer edge thereof, an annular lens positioned on said seat, cover plate means of opaque material positioned over the lens to close the upper end thereof, and rigid support members interposed between the cover of the housing and the cover plate means inside the annular lens for rigidly supporting said cover plate means in predetermined spaced relation to the cover of the housing.

10. A runway marker light comprising, a ho-using having a cover with a central opening, a lamp socket mounted within the housing to support a lamp within said central opening, said cover having an annular seat on its upper surface adiacent the outer edge thereof, an annular lens positioned on said annular seat, gasket means positioned between the surface of the annular seat and the bottom edge of the lens, cover means positioned over said lens to close the top opening thereof, gasket means positioned between the cover means and the upper edge of the lens, and means including rigid support members interposed between the cover of the housing and the cover means on the inside of the lens for rigidly supporting the cover means and clamping said cover means, lens and housing cover tightly together, thereby to subject said gasket means to suiiicient pressure to provide a watertight assembly and maintain the cover means and the cover of the housing in predetermined spaced relation.

WILLIS A. PENNOW. 

